SHUT UP & DANCE | 35 Fun Accessories for your Next Formal Fête

via Pinterest

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Let's get something straight: it's not about the dress. Okay, I mean, it's not ALL about the dress. When it comes to the formal fêtes of summer, so many of us put all of our efforts into finding that perfect dress. The dress of our dreams, the frock of our fancies, you know - the ONE. And whether you've found that dress or have yet to track it down, it's a win-win either way. 

Okay, so in scenario 1, you've got Dream Dress hanging in your closet. It might fit you perfectly, hugging your curves in all the right places and when you put it on, you feel like a total bae. Some women stop there. But we've all seen how bad shoes and careless accessorizing can ruin a perfectly pretty dress. It's like wearing a killer suit to a job interview and then carrying your things in a plastic bag. A pair of sleek sandals and Dream Dress-worthy accessories will ensure that your whole look doesn't fall flat on the big day.

How about those of you who have yet to find a perfect dress? Whether it's the fit, the selection or your budget that's messing with your dress shopping success, fear not. You can take a pretty basic little black dress and turn it into something memorable with the right accessories. Try a pair of fun floral pumps and statement earrings and suddenly, that LBD doesn't look so basic anymore.

I've rounded up 35 pretty accessories that will help you bring your A-game, whether you're heading to prom, a wedding or any other fancy fête this season. But first, don't miss this video for the dance moves you'll need to know when you get there. SO good. 

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R.S.V.PERFECT | Be the Best-Dressed Wedding Guest

A floral stunner from the ELLE by RW&CO. Collection via RW&CO.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Wedding season is upon us (does it ever actually end?) and while you might have RSVP'd and ticked off her registry list, you might not know what on earth you're going to wear. It's stressful. I mean, you want to look amazing because, we all do. You'll likely see some people you haven't seen in awhile and of course, you want to look your best for the bride and groom's big day. But do you play it safe? Or go bright? Plus there's that nasty budget to contend with. And then there are the shoes, and the clutch, and the jewelry, too. Oh, and hair and makeup. Phew. 

If you're not in the wedding party, remember this: the pressure's officially off. No speeches or showers or wedding to-do's, you just have to show up looking cute. That's all. I've rounded up some pretty ideas for you to try out if you're currently looking for some wedding day inspo. I've gone beyond the LBD with some fun little finds for you. Enjoy and happy wedding season to you!

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SHORT STORY | Get Inspired for Summer with these 4 Short & Sweet Looks

via H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I've been walking 10,000 steps every day for the past 3 days. Sure, it's not that impressive. I mean, it's early days here. But I'm on a mission and I'm wishin' someone would cure my shortless condition. It's way too cold to wear shorts right now but I know that just around the corner, the sun will heat up our days and stay that way. And so I'm walking to get my legs in shape for all of the sweet shorts hitting stores now. From printed and pop bright, to classic nautical stripes to super cool culottes, there are so many shorts I'm hoping to pick up for the hot days ahead.

While finding great shorts is a battle in and of itself, requiring several changeroom visits to find a pair that fits you right, it's what you pair them with that really matters. Oh nuh-uh-uh, put away that plain old tee, if you please. Sure you can go for the basic and I'm sure you'll look cute. But the shorts of this season aren't just meant for weekend walks to the park. While shorts look right at home for super casual outings like aforementioned parks, music festivals and chilling on the patio with friends, shorts work for fancier affairs, too. Heading to a baby or wedding shower? A pair of shorts with a printed blouse and blazer look just perf. Tired of your 9-to-5 wardrobe grind? A pair of cute new culottes will instantly refresh your work look. 

Now back to my walking. After all, I've only hit 4,500 steps today and short season waits for no one. Get your short & sweet outfit inspiration below...

SEE THE OUTFITS HERE...

The Fashion Girl's Guide to Mother's Day

via The Body Shop

Originally posted in The LOOK

You really can't go wrong when it comes to Mother's Day gifts. Now that I'm a mom, I understand this all too well. My kids could give me the cheesiest, tackiest thing ever and as long as they took the time to pick it out, I'd think it was the best present anyone's ever gotten. I've never been given a handmade card, an at-home 'pedicure' or a homemade breakfast from my kids that I didn't totally love.

But let's be honest here. I'm a fashion girl. And fashion people have a tendency to dream. We dream of the gifts we'd like to receive and of course, the things we plan on buying for ourselves if nobody else does. As a fashion blogger, I come across cute things every day and they continually accumulate in my head - at a certain point it becomes too much for even the most disciplined shopper to bear. 

And so I've put some of my most-wanted finds together into this Mother's Day Gift Guide. They're things I've seen on other people's Instagram accounts, pieces I can't wait to put on, and a few things I'm hoping my husband might get me this Mother's Day since my kids are still too young to shop. If not, no big deal - I'll take my hard-earned paycheque and eventually buy a few of these gifts for myself. After all, this Mother's Day, I'm really most excited about that handmade card. 

Whether she's the sporty type or simply loves to shop, these fashionable Mother's Day gifts will help her live her life beautifully. Happy (almost) Mother's Day! Oh, and if you've ever wondered how the Royals celebrate Mom's Day, don't miss the hilarious home video below...

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LOUBOUTINS SUCK | Your Under-$150 Spring Shoe Guide

via Bionda Castana

Originally posted in The LOOK

I picked up my first (and only) pair of Louboutins on a whim. I'd been invited to meet the celebrity shoe designer when he was in Toronto for a Christian Louboutin Exhibition at the Design Exchange. For a fashion blogger, this was a major coup. I rifled through my entire shoe collection at home, freaking out because none of my shoes felt worthy of my shoe idol. And then I remembered a $300 gift card I'd been saving. This was happening. 

I left an hour early for Toronto and headed straight for one of my favourite places in the world - the designer shoe department at Holt Renfrew. Surrounded by ladies who lunch and all those gorgeous shoes, I couldn't help myself. I landed on a pair of stunning black and gold spikey-toe pumps and asked to see them in size 9. 'Well, Louboutin only goes up to 39, which is more like an 8, but they will be fine.' They weren't. I knew it. But I figured I'd work them in. Shoes this expensive must mold to your feet, non? Minutes later I'd blown $800 and was walking onto Bloor St. feeling like a boss. 

Nobody wants to admit it. In fact, in certain circles, saying so would be sacrilege. But if you've ever owned a pair of Louboutins, I'm sure you'll agree - they're uncomfortable. No, wait, that's being nice. They're torture chambers. I've talked to dozens of other Louboutin victims who secretly agree.  They might look pretty and you might get some small satisfaction from prancing around the room in your red soles, but after about 6 minutes, the pain sets in. The searing, burning, want-to-rip-your-feet-off pain that makes you leave the party early and never want to wear heels again. And I'm the kind of person who lives in heels. Unless you have abnormally tiny toes, there just isn't enough room at the inn. So, not only does the sky-high pin-sized heel make you feel like you're a giant baby tottering around in your mom's heels, but your feet are simultaneously being suffocated which turns your feet as red as that iconic sole. And then there are the long-lasting effects. No matter how much they hurt, you continue to wear them anyway because of the mountains of guilt - after all, you dropped a whole mortgage payment on them. Okay, let me just come right out and say it - Louboutins suck. 

I love heels. I adore the Holts shoe department and am still willing to spend the occasional paycheque on the perfect designer shoe (Choo > Louboutin all the way). But clearly, I will never buy Louboutins again. And if you suffer shoe envy every time you see those painted red soles - believe me, you are not missing out. 

Now, I get most of my shoe kicks for under-$150 - a great pointy-toe flat at ALDO, a made-in-Brazil beauty at Le Château, or a pair of sporty white tennis kicks from Sportchek or Soft Moc let me stay on trend without destroying my feet or my spring shopping budget. 

Want to step up your shoe game this spring? Check out our guilt-free spring shoe guide, with the coolest little flats and prettiest printed heels for under $150, not a single red sole in sight. Phew. Happy Friday!

SEE OUR SPRING SHOE GUIDE HERE...